Critical care clinics
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The word, sepsis, dates back more than 2 millennia but has, over the past 2 centuries, come to be applied first to the clinical state evoked by invasive infection and, more recently, to describe the syndrome resulting from the host response to infection. Further refinements embodied in the recently published Sepsis-3 definition underline the concept of a dysregulated immune response resulting in potentially modifiable life-threatening organ dysfunction. This review summarizes the evolution and limitations of efforts to characterize a common and complex disorder.
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Critical care clinics · Jan 2018
ReviewEndocrine and Metabolic Alterations in Sepsis and Implications for Treatment.
Sepsis induces profound neuroendocrine and metabolic alterations. During the acute phase, the neuroendocrine changes are directed toward restoration of homeostasis, and also limit unnecessary energy consumption in the setting of restricted nutrient availability. Such changes are probably adaptive. ⋯ Whether stress hyperglycemia should be aggressively treated or tolerated remains a matter of debate. Until new evidence from randomized controlled trials becomes available, preventing severe hyperglycemia is recommended. Evidence supports withholding parenteral nutrition in the acute phase of sepsis.
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It is now well established that profound immunosuppression develops within a few days after sepsis onset in patients. This should be considered additional organ failure because it is associated with increased rate of nosocomial infections, mortality, and long-term complications, thus constituting the rationale for immunomodulation in patients. Nevertheless, the demonstration of the efficacy of such therapeutic strategy in improving deleterious outcomes in sepsis remains to be made. Results from clinical trials based on interleukin 7 and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor immunoadjuvant therapies in septic shock patients are expected for 2018.